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Derek Webb’sDemocracy Vol 2… This month, it is “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys. I generally hate/hate/hate this song… I blame Jonatha Brooke & Jars of Clay’s more schmaltzy versions. I’m digging Derek’s more layered version.

For those not in the know, Democracy Vol 2 is a continuation of the covers project Derek started last year. The fans get to nominate songs and then vote once the nominations are tallied. Here’s what he’s done in 2010 and 2011 to date (you can still go back and buy this volume):

January 2010: The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps

February: Coldplay – Fix You

March: Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’

April: Gnarls Barkley – Who’s Gonna Save My Soul

May: Sufjan Stevens – Chicago *a personal fave*

June: U2 – Where the Streets Have No Name

July: Huey Lewis & the News – Power of Love

August: The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby *a personal fave*

September: Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound of Silence

October: Radiohead – Karma Police *a personal fave*

November: Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah

December: Robert Robinson – Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

January 2011: off

February: off

March: Cee-Lo Green – F**k You

April: Bon Jovi – Livin’ On A Prayer

May: The Beach Boys – God Only Knows

Also, Derek & his wife Sandra McCracken are hitting the road in the Fall for a house concert / living room show tour for their upcoming TN EP. GO HERE if you can host.

~Dan – np: Puya – Areyto

Democracy Vol. 2 is a series of subscription based albums of cover songs that Derek will be recording annually, starting January 2010. Those who participate will not only receive the exclusive album, but will democratically decide what songs Derek will record.

Ever wished you could hear Derek cover your favorite Beatles song? Or Backstreet Boys song? Or even re-record your favorite old Caedmon’s Call song? Here’s your chance. Songs will be nominated and voted down to 10. Derek will record them (demo quality) and deliver them digitally (320kbps MP3s), one song per month for 10 months (March to December). Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unique collaborative project with Derek Webb!

Derek Webb’sDemocracy Vol 2… This month, it is “Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi. I’m at work; so I haven’t had a chance to listen yet… but I’m looking forward to it!

For those not in the know, Democracy Vol 2 is a continuation of the covers project Derek started last year. The fans get to nominate songs and then vote once the nominations are tallied. Here’s what he’s done in 2010 and 2011 to date (you can still go back and buy this volume):

January 2010: The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps

February: Coldplay – Fix You

March: Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’

April: Gnarls Barkley – Who’s Gonna Save My Soul

May: Sufjan Stevens – Chicago *a personal fave*

June: U2 – Where the Streets Have No Name

July: Huey Lewis & the News – Power of Love

August: The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby *a personal fave*

September: Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound of Silence

October: Radiohead – Karma Police *a personal fave*

November: Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah

December: Robert Robinson – Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

January 2011: off

February: off

March: Cee-Lo Green – F**k You

Fans of Derek may also want to check out his contribution (amongst other great covers) of Sufjan Stevens’Seven Swans. The tribute album put out by On Joyful Wings is called Seven Swans Reimagined. Derek does “In Devil’s Territory.” Other musicians include some Asthmatic Kitty favorites, and some newbies to the fold – including the Gregory Brothers (autotune the news) and Inlets.

~Dan – np: Porcupine Tree – Deadwing

Democracy Vol. 2 is a series of subscription based albums of cover songs that Derek will be recording annually, starting January 2010. Those who participate will not only receive the exclusive album, but will democratically decide what songs Derek will record.

Ever wished you could hear Derek cover your favorite Beatles song? Or Backstreet Boys song? Or even re-record your favorite old Caedmon’s Call song? Here’s your chance. Songs will be nominated and voted down to 10. Derek will record them (demo quality) and deliver them digitally (320kbps MP3s), one song per month for 10 months (March to December). Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unique collaborative project with Derek Webb!

Derek Webb’sDemocracy Vol 2… This month, it is “F**k You” by Cee-Lo Green (from Gnarls Barkley). I’m at work; so I haven’t had a chance to listen yet… but I’m looking forward to it! Part of me thinks Derek is solely doing this for the “Christian singer-songwriter singing ‘Fuck You’” aspect of it, but whatever… that aspect has no bearing on my views. I like Cee-Lo’s unconventional pop song, and I like Derek Webb. The combo should prove interesting – even if he recently tweeted that he muted the F-word, since he couldn’t sing an asterisk.

If Derek covers the song live on his current tour with Jars of Clay… well, that would be excellent… but unlikely.

Update: listening to it now… personal preference would be for it to not be self-censored. Vocals also sound kinda muddy, weirdly buried in the mix. Keyboards don’t seem synched up with the guitars & drums. I applaud his moxy, just perhaps not the execution. Still enjoyable, though – all things considered.

For those not in the know, Democracy Vol 2 is a continuation of the covers project Derek started last year. The fans get to nominate songs and then vote once the nominations are tallied. Here’s what he did back in 2010 (you can still go back and buy this volume):

January 2010: The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps

February: Coldplay – Fix You

March: Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’

April: Gnarls Barkley – Who’s Gonna Save My Soul

May: Sufjan Stevens – Chicago *a personal fave*

June: U2 – Where the Streets Have No Name

July: Huey Lewis & the News – Power of Love

August: The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby *a personal fave*

September: Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound of Silence

October: Radiohead – Karma Police *a personal fave*

November: Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah

December: Robert Robinson – Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Fans of Derek may also want to check out his contribution (amongst other great covers) of Sufjan Stevens’Seven Swans. The tribute album put out by On Joyful Wings is called Seven Swans Reimagined. Derek does In Devil’s Territory. Other musicians include some Asthmatic Kitty favorites, and some newbies to the fold – including the Gregory Brothers (autotune the news) and Inlets.

Democracy Vol. 2 is a series of subscription based albums of cover songs that Derek will be recording annually, starting January 2010. Those who participate will not only receive the exclusive album, but will democratically decide what songs Derek will record.

Ever wished you could hear Derek cover your favorite Beatles song? Or Backstreet Boys song? Or even re-record your favorite old Caedmon’s Call song? Here’s your chance. Songs will be nominated and voted down to 10. Derek will record them (demo quality) and deliver them digitally (320kbps MP3s), one song per month for 10 months (March to December). Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unique collaborative project with Derek Webb!

The yellow and black spandex is hitting the road again. If I’m not on the other side of the state for work, I’m planning on hitting the Portland show… I mean, why not? It’s Stryper… should be entertaining to say the least!

I’ve been a fan of Derek Webb ever since seeing him in Caedmon’s Call in the mid-90s. His voice and lyricism is something I connect with, regardless of my now-differing beliefs. He’s a genuine artist & thinker, and I think he’s a Christian that I think really “gets it”… or is at least trying to “get it” (we’re all a work in progress)…

We showed up a little after the early start time… I got a chuckle out of Derek’s tweet about it being a “Christian seated show” (with photo) and took in the last half of opener Anna Gilbert‘s set…

Anna is an Oregonian, went to the University of Oregon, lives in Portland, and has a handful of delightfully sonic pop albums. Her third CD, Your Love My Medicine, was produced by none other than knob-wizard Charlie Peacock (his wiki). Anna’s sound… poppy, singer-songwriter. Nice positive songs.

After a short break and a beer, Derek hit the stage at 8pm…

Great set, a mix of songs from his solo albums, a couple of Caedmon’s tunes… and one lonely cover song. Based on my prior experience with Derek, and his recent Democracy covers series (now heading into Volume 2), I figured he’d hit us with another cover or two.

The acoustic version of the mostly electronic Stockholm Syndrome songs worked well. “What Matters More” is a favorite, and while the studio version is full of electronics, the stripped down version still remained one of my favorites from the night. For other Derek fans (or Derek himself), have the Stockholm songs ever been played out live with keyboards and/or a full band (Joshua Moore, etc)? That would kick ass.

Setlist:about 90 mins

The End / The Very End

The Spirit Vs. The Kick Drum

New Law

I Hate Everything (But You)

Freddie, Please

A Love That’s Stronger Than Our Fears

I Love/Hate You

God’s Hometown [Caedmon’s Call]

I Just Don’t Want Coffee [Caedmon’s Call]

Wedding Dress

Heaven

What Matters More

She Must And Shall Go Free

(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding [Nick Lowe]

“Spirit vs. Kick Drum,” “Love/Hate,” and the Caedmon’s “Coffee” were some other favorite selections from the night. His banter was charming as usual. I was surprised he didn’t talk about Shawn Colvin being on his flight to Eugene… alas, perhaps he was distracted by Delta not being as gentle with his guitar as he’d have liked… assuming his guitar makes it back to Nashville with him, he needs to get a few things checked out (loose screw or something).

Yeah, I liked ‘em way back when. I’m hoping they’re not more Jebus-y. I bet they are. We shall see. I always liked their musicianship, Greek folk influences, and Steven Delopoulos’ lyricism and singing…

~Dan – np: Sufjan Stevens – The Age of Adz

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